Fowl processing apparatus



Dec. 29, 1964 s. M; FOX 3,162,892

FOWL- PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W av,

ATTORNEYS Dec. 29, 1964 V G. M. FOX 3,162,892

FOWL PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1961 g mww,

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,162,892 FGWL PRQiCESSlN G AlPARATUS Gaston Meredith Fox, Albany, Ga, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Equity Financial (Zorporation, a corporation of Deiaware Filed dune 5, 1961, Ser. No. 114,958 3 Qlaims. (til. l71i} The present invention relates to a novel apparatus for processing fowls, and more particularly for processing of giblets as a direct part of the complete processing operation.

Poultry processing plants, in recent years, have, in the main, been mechanized to the extent of utilizing an overhead conveyor system, provided With longitudinally spaced apart shackles for supporting fowls during the performance of eviscerating operations thereon. In performing the eviscerating operations, the viscera are withdrawn from the cavities of the fowls, and the heart, liver and gizzard are severed from the viscera. The heart and liver are usually immediately trimmed and rinsed and placed in a pan. The gizzards, after removal from the viscera, usually are placed in a chute and carried to a work table, or are manually transported to the table, where they are opened, flushed and the linings removed by hand. The cleaned gizzards are then accumulated in pans, and the pans of hearts, livers and gizzards are then manually transported to a table for wrapping the giblets in separate sets. The operators are required to separate out a complete set of giblets comprising one heart, one liver and one gizzard, and sometimes including one neck in the event the processor desires that the necks of the fowls be packaged as part of the giblets. The selected sets of giblets are then individually wrapped in a piece of paper, or placed in a bag, and the package containing a set of gi'olets is then stuffed into the cavity of a finished, eviscerated fowl as it moves along the overhead conveyor.

In order to reduce the amount of labor consumed in the processing of giblets, several improved practices have recently been adopted. In some recent installations of eviscerating equipment, a water flume is employed into which the operators drop the severed hearts, livers, cleaned and peeled gizzards, and the necks, and the water flume transports the giblets through a washer, from which they are then conveyed to a giblet wrapping table. An operator at the wrapping table separates the giblets into sets comprising one heart, one liver and one gizzard, and where desirable, one neck; and the sets are wrapped in separate sheets of paper or placed in separate bags. The sets of packaged giblets are then inserted into the cavities of the completely eviscerated fowls as they move along the overhead conveyor. While this particular system does, to some extent, expedite the processing of giblets, nevertheless, it results in numerous disadvantages. By the use of such a system all of the giblets necessarily become scrambled together and must be subsequently separated into sets, and thereafter separately packaged. There also results a considerable loss of giblets in the process of separating them from the water of the flume. Many of the giblets, and particularly the livers, often become torn or mutilated in transfer from the flume to the wrapping table, and frequently some of the glblets are lost incident to handling, such as by going down the drain. Once the glblets are placed in the water fiume, damaged parts cannot be traced to any one operator, nor can there be assurance that all operators are placing all giblets into the fiume instead of inadvertently permitting some of the giblets to fall into the main water flush trough that carries the viscera and other discarded parts of the fowls being processed.

In certain processing plants Whereglarge volumes of fowls are daily processed, the matter of economy of operation is of tremendous importance. Even a very small percentage of loss in yield of giblets as a result of processing may produce a very substantial financial loss to the processor.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart receptacles supported from an overhead conveyor corresponding to the spacing of fowls suspended from and moving along the conveyor. An operator severs the heart and liver from the viscera, trims them, and then rinses and places them in one of the receptacles, and the operator who completes the processing of the gizzards likewise places them individually in the respective receptacles, and it will be apparent that'the receptacles move past the operators at the same rate of speed as the fowls carried by the conveyor.

It is contemplated by the present invention that normally one set of gizzards be accumulated in each receptacle. The conveyor, after the fowls have been completely eviscerated, then transports the fowls, together with the receptacles, each containing a set of giblets therein, through a washer by virtue of which the bodies of the fowls are finally and completely washed, and the gizzards are completely cleaned and washed in a sanitary manner While remaining in the receptacles. After the fowls and the giblets are washed, the conveyor then moves down stream and the receptacles, at a preselected station along the conveyor system, are caused to be sequentially tipped over to discharge a complete set of giblets onto a stack of giblet wrapping paper or into an individual bag. At this station an operator completes the packaging of a set of giblets and places them into the cavity of a completely eviscerated fowl on the overhead conveyor.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide novel apparatus for a method of handling giblets, as a direct part of a complete eviscerating operation, in a manner to effect a substantial reduction in manual handling; to provide improved sanitation in handling of the giblets; as well as providing increased yield of product, together with effecting a substantial savings in labor.

Another object is to provide novel apparatus for handling giblets as a direct part of a complete eviscerating operation by virtue of which the giblets are processed and assembled and discharged in sets for convenient packaging and insertion into the cavities of completely proc- I essed fowls.

A further object is to provide novel apparatus for handling giblets as separate complete sets, and transporting them for automatic washing, and automatic discharge, as separate sets, at a discharge station for convenient packaging of the giblets in individual sets for insertion in the cavities of completely eviscerated fowls.

Still another object is to provide novel apparatus for processing giblets in a manner which reduces possible damage to and loss of portions of the giblets during the processing operations.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a main conveyor system for transporting fowls, together with auxiliary apparatus constituting the present invention.

FIGURES 2 and 3 are enlarged, front and side elevational views of a shackle provided with a basket-type receptacle for the giblets, and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, sectional view, taken at line 44 on FIGURE 1, showing the movable recep- 3 tacle for containing the giblcts supported on a shackle, with the receptacle shown in a tilted position for discharging the giblets therefrom.

FIGURE is an enlarged, vertical sectional view taken at lines 55 on FIGURE 1, showing a shackle and movable receptacle after it has been retilted to an upright position.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings, there is shown a fragmentary portion of a main, overhead-type conveyor as indicated at It), which may be understood comprises a single strand of roller chain mounted for longitudinal movement within a tubular type, longitudinally extending, closure 11, as is well understood in the art. Depending from the conveyor chain are a plurality of, preferably, uniformly spaced apart shackles 12, from which fowls, as indicated at A, are suspended during the performance of an eviscerating operation thereon. The fowls, while suspended on the main conveyor 19, travel over a relatively wide, elongated, eviscerating trough 1d of conventional form.

The shackles 12', as may be seen in the drawings, are of a conventional design, formed of wire rod stock, in generally rectangular form, as seen in FIGURE 2. Secured, as by welding, to the inner surfaces of the upper portions of the two side legs 12:: and 12b of the shackle, are portions of the sides or legs 16a and 16b of an inverted U-shaped support 16, which is also formed of wire rod stock. The portions of the sides 16a and 16b extend in downwardly and outwardly directions and terminate in eyelets 16c, constituting journal supports for the opposite ends of a pivot rod 13, which is welded to the lower portion of the outer face of a wire basket-type receptacle indicated generally at 2% The receptacles 20 may be constructed in various manners, such as herein shown, or may be made of sheet metal-and in the latter case the bottoms thereof are provided with a plurality of apertures so as to assure free drainage of liquid off of the giblets in the receptacles. The design of the receptacles Ztl is such, and their pivot mounting so related to the shackles, that normally the receptacles are supported in an upright open position, as seen in FIGURES 3 and 5 of the drawings, with the back side of the receptacles abutting against the intermediate, or generallyhorizontally extending portions 16d of the inverted U-shap'ed supports 36, so as to stabilize the receptacles in upright position, as clearly seen in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. In this an rangement, the receptacles are positioned above the main operative portions of the shackles in which the hocks or legs of the fowls are seated for supporting the fowls,

Mounted upon the eviscerating trough 14, in surrounding relation to the path of travel of the fowls A, as they move along the said conveyor, is a washer unit 22. It is to be understood that the fowls, prior to entry into the washer 22, have previously been completely eviscerated in the usual manner, and the hearts, livers and gizzards have been severed, trimmed and partially cleansed, and placed and collected in sets in the respective receptacles 2%. It is recognized, of course, that in processing of the gizzards, the steps which require slitting, peeling out of the linings and preliminary flushing, will be performed by an operator located down-stream from the operators who previously severed the hearts and livers from the viscera and placed them into the respective receptacles.

By such procedures, each of the completely eviscerated' fowls, suspended from their shackles, will have associated therewith a complete set of giblets carried in the respective receptacles associated with the shackles supporting the fowls.

As the eviscerated fowls, together with the sets of giblets contained within the receptacles, move into the washer 22, the bodies of the fowls will be subjected to a final Washing operation by a plurality of jets or streams of water suitably arranged within the washer unit 22 in a manner well understood in the art. Also contained with in the washer unit 22, is a separate water spray pipe 24,

having a nozzle 26 positioned for spraying water directly onto and around the giblets within the receptacles 2% causing the giblets to be rolled and turned and become thoroughly cleansed.

As the fowls continue their travel along the conveyor and arrive at a station down-stream of the washer, as seen in FIGURE 1, the receptacles move into contact with a. cam rod member 28, shaped and positioned to be contacted by the bottom of the receptacles and thereby cause swinging or tilting of the receptacles about the axes of pivot rods 18, until the center of gravity of the receptacles is shifted laterally beyond the vertical axis of the pivot axis of the receptacle, and the receptacles then by gravity continue to tilt downwardly to a position as seen in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, and the receptacles being arrested at a downward tilted position, as seen in FEGURE 4, by another cam rod 3%. The cam rods 23 and 3d are mounted on the upper end of a supporting bracket, indicated generally at 32, mounted on a table 34. Supported on the bracket 32 is a downwardly inclined chute 36, into which the giblets, indicated generally at B, are caused to discharge from the receptacle 2% when it is tilted as seen in FIGURE 5. Positioned below the lower end of the chute 36 on the packaging table 34, is a stack of sheets of paper, or other suitable material, as indicated at 38, onto which a set of giblets are discharged. An operator at this station then wraps the individual sets of giblets B, into a package, as indicated generally at C, and places it into the cavity of a fowl suspended on the overhead conveyor, clown-stream of the discharging station. it is to be understood that a package containing a set of giblets is placed in the cavity of each fowl as it moves along the conveyor. It is also to be understood that, if desired, suitable bagging apparatus may be employed, either actuated automatically, or manually, and the giblets may be caused to be discharged in sets into individual bags, which are then hans died manually for placement into the cavities of the fowls on the conveyor.

The'cam rod 30 which, as may be seen in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, is spaced laterally outwardly of the cam rod 23, and is shaped and positioned'so that as the receptacles, which have been tilted to discharge the contents thereof, engage and move along said rod, subsequently contact an elevated portion 3490, of said cam rod 39, which acts against the front surface of the receptacle in tilted position, causing saidreceptacle to be tilted upwardly about the axis of said pivot rod 18, and again assume an upright, upwardly open position, as seen in- FEGURES 3 and 5 of the drawings.

The fowls, after the package containing a set of giblets has been inserted in the cavities thereof, are subsequently V removed from the conveyor, and are either chilled or sub jected to refrigeration for freezing.

To insure that the shackles 12, remain positioned as seen in FIGURE I, with the receptacles positioned facing outwardly, there is provided a longitudinally extending rod or pipe as, against which the back surface of the shackles ride and abut, and move thereover in the longitudinal movement of the conveyor and the. shackles, suspended therefrom. Thus the shackles, as well as the fowls, remain properly oriented during their movement While the complete eviscerating operation is being performed thereon. a I 7 By virtue of the present invention, the following im lease of body heat therefrom, thus reducing possibility of spoilage; V

(4) Complete and thorough washing of all the giblet parts in a sanitary manner Without manual handling or contact by the human hands after the performance of the washing operation;

(5) Substantial labor is saved by eliminating the need for selecting a set of giblets from containers including mixed giblet components by having a complete set of giblets retained separately as a unit, for final wrapping or bagging and insertion into the cavities of the fowls;

(6) The arrangement tends to insure insertion of a set of giblets into the cavity of each fowl;

(7) It results in improved yield of giblet products and thereby improves the efliciency of fowl processing operations.

Although I have herein shown and described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise embodiments herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

' I claim:

1. Fowl processing apparatus comprising an overhead conveyor movable along a path of travel, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart fowl supporting shackles dependingly supported from said conveyor, upwardly open receptacles, for receiving severed portions of fowls, said shackles each having a pair of laterally outwardly extending arms having their, outer ends connected to a receptacle and providing a horizontal pivot support for the receptacle and having an abutment for arresting the receptacle in an upright position against the shackle, means located along the path of travel of and engageable by the moving receptacles for tilting said receptacles outwardly and downwardly for discharging their contents at a predetermined station along the path of travel, separate means located downstream of said tilting means and positioned along the path of travel and engageable by said tilted receptacles for reversely tilting said receptacles to an upright position, and longitudinally extending guide means positioned to engage said shackles at the side opposite the receptacles for maintaining said receptacles in oriented relation during their. travel along a portion of the length of the conveyor.

2. Fowl processing apparatus comprising an overhead conveyor movable along a path of travel, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart frame members dependingly supported from said conveyor, upwardly open receptacles, for receiving severed portions of fowls, pivotally mounted 6 on horizontal axes on said frame members, said pivot axes being positioned laterally outwardly relative to said conveyor, each of said receptacles being formed with a plurality of openings for drainage of liquid from the severed portions of fowls, Washing apparatus located along the path of travel of said receptacles for washing said severed portions of the fowls in the receptacles, means located along the path of travel of and engageable by the moving receptacles for tilting said receptacles outwardly and downwardly for discharging their contents at a predetermined station along the path of travel, and separate means located downstream of said tilting means and positioned along the path of travel and engageable by said tilted receptacles for reversely tilting said receptacles to an upright position.

3. Fowl processing apparatus comprising an overhead conveyor movable along a path of travel, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart frame members dependingly supported from said conveyor, upwardly open receptacles, for receiving severed portions of fowls, pivotally mounted on horizontal axes on said frame members, said pivot axes being positioned laterally outwardly relative to said conveyor, each of said receptacles being formed with a plurality of openings for drainage of liquid from the severed portions of fowls, washing apparatus located along the path of travel of the conveyor, downstream from a station at which said portions of the fowls are severed, for. simultaneously washing the bodies of the fowls and said severed portions in the receptacles, means located along the path of travel of and engageable by the moving receptacles for tilting said receptacles outwardly and downwardly for discharging their contents at a predetermined station along the path of travel, and separate means located downstream of said tilting means and positioned along the path of travel and engageable by said tilted receptacles forreversely tilting said recep tacles to an upright position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 790,030 Crawford May 16, 1905 1,893,633 Peterson et al Jan. 10, 1933 2,381,044 Franz Aug. 7, 1945 2,738,547 Zebarth Mar. 20, 1956 2,795,817 Dahlberg June 18, 1957 2,817,874 Conaway Dec. 31, 1957 2,830,319 Muntz Apr. 15, 1958 2,874,404 Gonzalez Feb. 24, 1959 3,009,194 Roth Nov. 21, 1961 

1. FOWL PROCESSING APPARATUS COMPRISING AN OVERHEAD CONVEYOR MOVABLE ALONG A PATH OF TRAVEL, A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED APART FOWL SUPPORTING SHACKLES DEPENDINGLY SUPPORTED FROM SAID CONVEYOR, UPWARDLY OPEN RECEPTACLES, FOR RECEIVING SEVERED PORTIONS OF FOWLS, SAID SHACKLES EACH HAVING A PAIR OF LATERALLY OUTWARDLY EXTENDING ARMS HAVING THEIR OUTER ENDS CONNECTED TO A RECEPTACLE AND PROVIDING A HORIZONTAL PIVOT SUPPORT FOR THE RECEPTACLE AND HAVING AN ABUTMENT FOR ARRESTING THE RECEPTACLE IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION AGAINST THE SHACKLE, MEANS LOCATED ALONG THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF AND ENGAGEABLE BY THE MOVING RECEPTACLES FOR TILTING SAID RECEPTACLES OUTWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY FOR DISCHARGING THEIR CONTENTS AT A PREDETERMINED STATION ALONG THE PATH OF TRAVEL, SEPARATE MEANS LOCATED DOWNSTREAM OF SAID TILTING MEANS AND POSITIONED ALONG THE PATH OF TRAVEL AND ENGAGEABLE BY SAID TILTED RECEPTACLES FOR REVERSELY TILTING SAID RECEPTACLES TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION, AND LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING GUIDE MEANS POSITIONED TO ENGAGE SAID SHACKLES AT THE SIDE OPPOSITE THE RECEPTACLES FOR MAINTAINING SAID RECEPTACLES IN ORIENTED RELATION DURING THEIR TRAVEL ALONG A PORTION OF THE LENGTH OF THE CONVEYOR. 